Ordination Update: 16 New Deacons for Baltimore

A weekend retreat Mark Loepker attended a decade ago was a turning point in his faith journey.

“That took the hidden veiled call away and I came face to face with the call that weekend, that Jesus wanted a little bit more out of me,” said Loepker, 59, director of the national information assurance partnership for the National Security Agency and a retired lieutenant colonel for the U.S. Air Force. “That churned around in me for a couple of years.”

A few years later, one of Loepker’s daughters told him he would make a good deacon, which he calls his “last awakening.”

Family members and friends of the men packed the cathedral for the long-awaited and joyous celebration. The newly ordained deacons make up the largest class of deacons for the Archdiocese of Baltimore since 18 were ordained in 1996.

Hailing from as far west as Hancock, the men represent a variety of professional and personal backgrounds.

All but one is married and they include an electrical engineer, fiscal management analyst, science professor and museum executive director.

During their formation, the men completed a one-year aspirancy program, followed by three years of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation.

The academic theological program was taught primarily by faculty from St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Roland Park, with deacons taking courses in subjects including Scripture, church history, Catholic social teaching, canon law, morality and homiletics.

As part of their formation, the men served one year at a parish and one year in an institution, such as a hospital or prison.

A deacon receives the sacrament of holy orders and becomes a member of the clergy. A deacon’s regular duties include proclaiming the Gospel at Mass and delivering homilies. In addition, he administers the sacrament of baptism and witnesses marriages. A deacon may also preside at rites of Christian burial, at eucharistic exposition and benediction, the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours and other liturgical rites. Deacons also are active in Christian outreach – ministering in a variety of roles, including within parishes, charitable agencies, hospitals and prisons.

In his homily, Archbishop Lori told the deacons “you are called to be good servants of the Lord and enthusiastic agents of the new evangelization.”

“Continue to study the Scriptures,” the archbishop said, “be ever more aware of their inherent meaning. Pray and live the words you proclaim.”